Add brass fire-extinguisher valves to precious-metal theft epidemic
Investigators are looking into several cases in which brass valves were stolen from fire-extinguisher systems installed in buildings, Hagerstown Fire Marshal Doug DeHaven said Tuesday.
The incidents are yet another example of the ongoing rash of thefts of precious metal that can be taken to scrap yards in return for cash, DeHaven said.
Authorities have made an arrest in one such theft reported on Oct. 6, DeHaven said.
In that case, brass valves were stolen from a fire-extinguishing system in the old Washington County Hospital parking garage at 218 E. Antietam Street, DeHaven said.
The extinguisher systems allow firefighters to connect to a water source on a floor of a building rather than dragging water hoses up to flights of stairs, DeHaven said.
Caterpillar skid loader stolen from city construction site
The Hagerstown Police Department is investigating the theft of Caterpillar skid loader from a construction site at 1701 Hopewell Road, Detective Sgt. Jim Hurd said.
The skid loader, which was reported stolen Oct. 11, had a John Deere bucket attached to the front of it, Hurd said.
There were no keys in the skid loader, and it appears a trailer was used to steal it, Hurd said.
There were no witnesses to the theft, Hurd said.
Anyone with information about city crimes can call the police department at 301-790-3700. Information also can be provided by email at crimetip@hagerstownpd.org.
Man charged with tag theft after Boonsboro traffic stop
BOONSBORO — A Sharpsburg man was charged with theft, driving while his license was suspended and displaying a license tag issued to another vehicle, following a traffic stop in Boonsboro Saturday morning, town police said.
Steve Michael Crouse, 26, of 19324 Burnside Bridge Road, was transported to Washington County Central Booking after the stop on Stouffer Avenue and North Main Street, police said.
Sgt. Rich Poffenberger stopped the vehicle at about 10:48 a.m. after noticing the vehicle had a tag that was reported to have been stolen, Boonsboro Police Chief Jeff Hewett said.
The tag was reported stolen on Oct. 3 to Maryland State Police, Hewett said.
— Dave McMillion
Investigators are looking into several cases in which brass valves were stolen from fire-extinguisher systems installed in buildings, Hagerstown Fire Marshal Doug DeHaven said Tuesday.
The incidents are yet another example of the ongoing rash of thefts of precious metal that can be taken to scrap yards in return for cash, DeHaven said.
Authorities have made an arrest in one such theft reported on Oct. 6, DeHaven said.
In that case, brass valves were stolen from a fire-extinguishing system in the old Washington County Hospital parking garage at 218 E. Antietam Street, DeHaven said.
The extinguisher systems allow firefighters to connect to a water source on a floor of a building rather than dragging water hoses up to flights of stairs, DeHaven said.
Caterpillar skid loader stolen from city construction site
The Hagerstown Police Department is investigating the theft of Caterpillar skid loader from a construction site at 1701 Hopewell Road, Detective Sgt. Jim Hurd said.
The skid loader, which was reported stolen Oct. 11, had a John Deere bucket attached to the front of it, Hurd said.
There were no keys in the skid loader, and it appears a trailer was used to steal it, Hurd said.
There were no witnesses to the theft, Hurd said.
Anyone with information about city crimes can call the police department at 301-790-3700. Information also can be provided by email at crimetip@hagerstownpd.org.
Man charged with tag theft after Boonsboro traffic stop
BOONSBORO — A Sharpsburg man was charged with theft, driving while his license was suspended and displaying a license tag issued to another vehicle, following a traffic stop in Boonsboro Saturday morning, town police said.
Steve Michael Crouse, 26, of 19324 Burnside Bridge Road, was transported to Washington County Central Booking after the stop on Stouffer Avenue and North Main Street, police said.
Sgt. Rich Poffenberger stopped the vehicle at about 10:48 a.m. after noticing the vehicle had a tag that was reported to have been stolen, Boonsboro Police Chief Jeff Hewett said.
The tag was reported stolen on Oct. 3 to Maryland State Police, Hewett said.
— Dave McMillion
